Steve Coppell admits Birmingham City’s Monday night victory over Championship leaders Wolves was a blow – but insists Reading can still go straight up if his stars rediscover their top form.

Royals’ hopes of a top-two finish were not helped by second-placed Blues’ 2-0 win, which moved them six points clear of Coppell’s men.

Reading, though, have a game in hand and are due to face Birmingham at Madejski Stadium on the final day of the season on Sunday May 3.

And Coppell remains upbeat about his side’s chances of a swift return to the Premier League, providing his players show their true quality.

He told the Post: “I watched most of the game on Monday and obviously if I could have picked a result I would have picked something else.

“But at this stage I don’t think it makes a great deal of difference. It is down to us to put in performances, win games and put the pressure on. We can’t expect results elsewhere to help us out.

“We have to start winning. If we don’t, we won’t deserve to go up automatically. If we do, we will have a chance. The number one focus has to be us.”

Reading’s biggest problem recently has been scoring goals.

Although they remain the second highest scorers in the Championship. They have failed to find the back of the net in their last three matches.

And Coppell admitted: “We are not scoring goals like we were at the start of the season and that is a concern. It is something we have been working on and we will continue to work on. It is all about results and performances.

“You can be the best player in the world, but if you are not performing or getting results then you are not going to be the best player in the world for very long. You are judged on what you do week in, week out and we need our players to perform.”

Reading’s home form has also been a massive cause for concern in recent months.

Coppell’s men had turned Madejski Stadium into a fortress, but it appears the pressure is starting to show in front of the home support that is growing increasingly frustrated with the displays.

However, Royals’ boss insisted that is not a problem and praised the fans for their support.

He said: “In the last five home games we have lost three and drawn two. Before that we had a terrific record so we have brought the situation on ourselves.

“It is nothing to do with the crowd not supporting us. I know they will support us. There have only been a couple of games this year where I would dare question them and that was our fault because we were flat as a pancake.

“Our crowd are terrific home and away. We don’t carry the biggest away following but they make a lot of noise. We have six games left and every one of them is really significant so let’s show what we are capable of.”

Promotion back to the Premier League would be worth in excess of £40million to the club in terms of gate receipts, advertising, television money and sponsorship.

But Coppell insisted: “It doesn’t bother the players what a club can earn. They just want to win and they have to show the desire to win.

“We need to show the hunger we showed when we first got promoted. Looking at them in training I would say there is that here.”

Royals dropped to fourth in the Championship table after Sheffield United's 2-1 win over Barnsley last night.

But a win against the Blades on Good Friday (live on Sky Sports 1, 5.30pm kick-off) would see Reading reclaim third spot.